Howard Hawks Quotes

Powerful Howard Hawks for Daily Growth

About Howard Hawks

Howard Hawks (May 30, 1896 – November 26, 1977) was an influential American filmmaker, revered for his work in Hollywood's Golden Age. Born in Wisconsin, he moved to California at a young age where he developed a passion for movies. After working as an extra and prop boy, Hawks got his first break writing titles for D.W. Griffith's 1916 epic, 'Intolerance.' In the 1920s, he transitioned to directing short films before making the leap to features in 1927 with 'The Road to Glory.' His career took off in the 1930s with films like 'Scarface' (1932) and 'Twentieth Century' (1934), which showcased his signature style: fast-paced, witty dialogue, strong character development, and complex plots. Hawks is best known for his collaborations with actors such as John Wayne, Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, and Cary Grant. His films often revolved around themes of adventure, romance, and masculinity, with iconic works like 'Sergeant York' (1941), 'To Have and Have Not' (1944), and 'The Big Sleep' (1946) featuring these elements. His seminal work, 'Rio Bravo' (1959), is often considered a masterpiece of the western genre. Hawks continued to direct into the 1970s, with notable films like 'El Dorado' (1966) and 'Rio Lobo' (1970). Howard Hawks' influence on American cinema is immeasurable, shaping filmmaking styles and influencing countless directors such as Martin Scorsese, Quentin Tarantino, and Steven Spielberg. His quote, "A good love story is never about the falling in love. It's about staying in love," encapsulates the depth and complexity of his work.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"A good love story is about something funny happening every ten pages."

The quote suggests that an effective love story should have moments of humor interspersed throughout its narrative, approximately every ten pages. This not only keeps the story engaging but also introduces levity to a genre often associated with intensity or emotional depth. By incorporating amusing incidents, Hawks underscores that love and laughter can coexist beautifully, making the romantic journey more captivating and memorable.

"I don't want to make movies to make money, I make money to make movies."

This quote reflects a passionate dedication to artistic expression in filmmaking by Howard Hawks. He views financial success not as an end goal, but rather as a means to achieve his true passion: creating movies. This mindset demonstrates a commitment to creativity and craft over commercial considerations, which is characteristic of many artists across various fields.

"The way you get a good script is, you don't write it. You just keep rewriting it until you get it right."

This quote by Howard Hawks emphasizes the importance of continuous refinement and revision in the process of scriptwriting. In other words, achieving a "good script" isn't about crafting a perfect piece in one sitting, but rather through persistent iterations and adjustments until the final product meets the desired quality. It underscores the value of perseverance, patience, and an unrelenting focus on improvement as crucial elements in creative endeavors.

"You can always tell when an actor is acting. It's in the eyes."

Howard Hawks suggests that an actor's true feelings or authenticity can often be detected through their eyes, as they are a window to the soul. When an actor is "acting," pretending to feel something, this inauthentic emotion can manifest in subtle cues and nuances, one of which may be noticeable changes in the eyes.

"I like to entertain people, and I think that's what moviemaking is all about."

This quote suggests that for filmmaker Howard Hawks, the primary purpose of making movies is to provide entertainment for the audience. He believes that movies should be enjoyable experiences that engage viewers and offer them a form of escape or pleasure. This perspective highlights the importance of storytelling in film and emphasizes the role of cinema as a means of communication and connection between creators and audiences.

I made 'Rio Bravo' with John Wayne. It worked out pretty well and we both liked it, so a few years later we decided to make it again. Worked out pretty good that time, too.

- Howard Hawks

Pretty, Made, John Wayne, Bravo

I try to tell my story as simply as possible, with the camera at eye level.

- Howard Hawks

Eye, Tell, Level, Camera

It's hard not to think of Jack Ford when you're making a Western. Hard not to think of him when you're making any picture.

- Howard Hawks

Think, Hard, Making, Jack

Too many actors try to get too much out of scenes that they ought to be leaving alone, just doing them quickly and getting the hell out.

- Howard Hawks

Doing, Quickly, Them, Ought

I guarantee you that two directors that are any good can take the same story, change the name of the characters, change the name of the town, and make an entirely different picture.

- Howard Hawks

Change, Town, Directors, Entirely

I get a little sick of these New Yorkers who want me to make some psychic thing, like 'The Left-Handed Gun.' They don't know anything about Western history.

- Howard Hawks

New, Gun, Some, Psychic

John Wayne represents more force, more power than anyone else on the screen.

- Howard Hawks

More, Screen, John Wayne, Wayne

I think girls who insult people are very attractive.

- Howard Hawks

Think, I Think, Very, Insult

A good movie is three good scenes and no bad scenes.

- Howard Hawks

Bad, Movie, Good Movie, Scenes

The western is the simplest form of drama - a gun, death.

- Howard Hawks

Drama, Gun, Simplest, Western

I'm a storyteller - that's the chief function of a director. And they're moving pictures, let's make 'em move!

- Howard Hawks

Director, Move, Chief, Moving

If you want to make pictures and enjoy making them, you better go out and make something that a lot of people want to see. And then they'll turn you lose and let you make what you want. And then maybe you can do some of the things that you want to do. But as a beginner, you haven't got a chance.

- Howard Hawks

Enjoy, Some, Maybe, Beginner

I have a theory that the only way you can be any good is if the camera likes you. If the camera doesn't like you, you are gone.

- Howard Hawks

Good, Like, Any, Likes

You can't fix a bad script after you start shooting. The problems on the page only get bigger as they move to the big screen.

- Howard Hawks

Big, Bad, Move, Fix

I'm such a coward that unless I get a good writer, I don't want to make a picture.

- Howard Hawks

Good, Want, Good Writer, Coward

When you've got some talent, your job is to use it.

- Howard Hawks

Talent, Some, Use, Job

There's action only if there is danger.

- Howard Hawks

Action, Only, Danger

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